University of Arizona officials have decided to keep Sean Miller as coach of the men's basketball team.

"At this time, we have no reason to believe Coach Miller violated NCAA rules or any laws," UA President Robert C. Robbins said after a meeting of the state Board of Regents on Thursday afternoon, just hours before a UA home game was set to begin.

"We expect Coach Miller to be on the sidelines coaching the team tonight and for the remainder of the season," he said.

"I believe that if the FBI had evidence Coach Miller had done anything wrong, you would have seen him indicted."

The Arizona Board of Regents was considering Miller's future less than two hours after Miller had called a surprise press conference to issue a forceful statement in his own defense.

University of Arizona President Robert C. Robbins speaks during a press conference after an Arizona Board of Regents executive session regarding Arizona's men's basketball team and head coach Sean Miller on March 1, 2018, in Phoenix.(Photo: Sean Logan/The Republic)

Following the regents' meeting, Robbins said he also interviewed Ayton, and has no reason to believe the blue-chip player took money or improper benefits. Robbins praised Ayton as a "remarkable young man" who has been subjected to "false published reports that injured his reputation.

"I just believe he would not have accepted any money, and did not accept any money," he added.

3 probes underway

Robbins said at least three investigations are underway related to the UA basketball program:

An FBI probe.

An NCAA investigation, which is awaiting the results of the FBI inquiry.

A law firm conducting an investigation on behalf of UA.

During the closed meeting, Robbins had fully briefed the board about detailed questioning of Miller and Ayton, and he advised that Miller would continue coaching.

"I fully support his decision, the board fully supports his decision. ... I also approve of Coach Miller's forthright statement to the media today," said Regents President Bill Ridenour.

"I have never knowingly violated NCAA rules while serving as head coach," he said.

"I am outraged" — watch Sean Miller's statement here:

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Arizona basketball coach Sean Miller met with the media Thursday to decry an ESPN report that linked him with potential payments to a recruit.
Arizona Athletics

Miller's future with the team had been uncertain, and he did not coach during UA's game against Oregon on Saturday. The team plays Stanford in Tucson on Thursday night, their first home game since the controversy began.

Sean Miller enters the interview room before making a statement on his future with the Arizona Wildcats basketball program at McKale Center on March 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. Mike Christy/Arizona Daily Star

Sean Miller grabs his written statement off the table in a brisk manner after speaking about his future with the Arizona Wildcats basketball program at McKale Center on March 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. Miller maintained he engaged in no wrongdoing in regard to allegedly paying a player, adding he looks forward to coaching the team this season. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star, Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Star

Sean Miller makes a statement on his future with the Arizona Wildcats basketball program at McKale Center on March 1, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz. Miller maintained he engaged in no wrongdoing in regard to allegedly paying a player, adding he looks forward to coaching the team this season. Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Sta, Mike Christy / Arizona Daily Sta

Arizona Wildcats head coach Sean Miller swings a net around in celebration after the Wildcats defeated Oregon in the Pac-12 tournament championship game at T-Mobile Arena on March 11, 2017. Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports

ESPN has not retracted its report, but has corrected the timeline for the purported FBI wiretap. The network initially said the phone call occurred in 2017, then changed the date to 2016 before reverting to the original date.

Because of the FBI's ongoing investigation, Robbins said he had been told not to question Miller in recent months. However, after the ESPN report, federal agents advised it would be OK to interview the coach.

Robbins said he conducted a series of intense, face-to-face sessions, asking "direct, pointed questions" of Miller.

"He was eager to speak with us and answered every questions," Robbins added. "He was very forthcoming. ... I was convinced there was nothing to prove Coach Miller had done anything wrong."

Arizona basketball is facing a lot of unknowns after reports about coach Sean Miller being caught on a wiretap talking about paying for a player. Jay Dieffenbach and Doug Haller from azcentral sports look at what the future holds for the Wildcats.
Diana Payan/ azcentral sports